Pakistani troops violate ceasefire in Kashmir

Jammu/Srinagar: Pakistani troops fired at Indian positions in Ramgarh sector of the international border in Jammu and Kashmir early Wednesday in yet another violation of the bilateral ceasefire in less than 24 hours, officials said.

A Border Security Force (BSF) official said the ceasefire violation in Balad border post in Samba district led to exchange of fire for around 45 minutes.

The Balad border post, about 45 km southwest of Jammu, came under fire from the Pakistani side at 4.30 am. The BSF retaliated, leading to exchange of small and heavy arms fire till 5.15 am.

The ceasefire violation took place at the Balad border post in Samba district.

"The fire was returned and after around an hour of intermittent exchange of fire, calm has been restored in the area," a military spokesman said.

Informed sources said it was being ascertained whether or not the firing had been resorted to from the Pakistan side to facilitate infiltration of terrorists across the border.

"The visibility at that time was bad due to a blanket of fog and darkness. We are trying to ascertain if it was an attempt by terrorists to infiltrate," a senior official said.

On Tuesday also, Pakistani troops had violated the ceasefire at the line of control (LOC) when they fired at Indian positions in Poonch district of Jammu region.

"There also the army had returned the fire after being fired upon by the Pakistani troops," a police official said in Poonch district.

According to the defence ministry, there have been over 150 incidents of ceasefire violations since 2006. Over 50 happened this year alone. India and Pakistan had agreed to ceasefire along the Jammu and Kashmir frontiers in November 2003 as part of confidence building measures.